We’re currently experiencing serious technical problems on the site, and as a result are unable to update the news – even though our market data is running as per normal. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to be up and running again this evening. Thank you for your patience in this regard.
– David McKay (editor) & team

The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) has dismissed a complaint laid against FlySafair’s recent “score a 4” promotion, where the airline advertised the availability of 30 000 airline tickets for just R4 including airport taxes.

The complainant, Logendree Pillay, had questioned whether there was proof that FlySafair had indeed sold 30 000 tickets at R4, and whether all of these tickets were purchased and paid for by “legit” purchasers.

“It’s no surprise that someone questioned the legitimacy of this promotion, because it was an unbelievable offer,” says Kirby Gordon, head of sales and distribution at FlySafair.

After reviewing all relevant documentation, the ASA found that the advertising was not misleading and dismissed the claim, citing that the authority had been provided with evidence that 32 755 flights had been sold on the promotional offer.

Pillay also took exception to the airline’s "waiting room", a mechanism which randomly selected smaller groups of customers to gain access to their website. This was instituted in order to maintain the integrity of the site under the strain of the massive demand an offer of this nature was bound to generate.

“The commercial in this matter was very clear as to how many seats were available, and how the special and the 'waiting room' mechanism would work. Any consumer listening to the commercial would understand that there is an element of luck as to whether or not one gets picked from the waiting room, and that not every consumer will be able to secure the deal,” the ASA said in its ruling.

“We are very pleased that the ASA’s ruling has officially put to rest any questions members of the public might have had about the processes involved in our annual super sale,” said Gordon.